After their official team presentation on January 26th, the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team is set to open their 2010 campaign on January 31st at the GP d'Ouverture La Marseillaise in France. In 2009 Johnny Hoogerland set the tone for his season finishing the difficult 1.1 categorized race in fifth place.
Following the race in Marseille, the team will remain in France and take part in the Etoile de Bessèges, which is being held from February 3rd to the 7th. The Vacansoleil team celebrated its first ever victory in Bessèges with Björn Leukemans' win in 2009. Some of the team will then head to the Tours of Qatar and Oman, while another group will take part in the Tour of the Méditerranéen.
Vacansoleil will do its final preparation for the Flemish opening weekend in Portugal and Spain at the Volta ao Algarve and Ruta Del Sol respectively. The last weekend of February will see the Spring Classics build-up in full swing with participation in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, whichl opens up the Belgian cycling calendar, and Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne. Vacansoleil will also take part in the Clasica Almeria in Spain.
Sport director Hilaire Van Der Schueren is happy with the team's program: “In November we individually talked with all riders about their program and ambition. If you look at the program for February all riders can certainly get some races done. In these races we will be full of ambition because a good start gives good spirit to the team.”
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling team for GP d'Ouverture La Marseillaise:
Borut Bozic (Slovenia) Brice Feillu, Romain Feillu (France), Marco Marcato (Italy), Frederik Veuchelen, Björn Leukemans (Belgium), Johnny Hoogerland and Lieuwe Westra (The Netherlands)